The Silver Hammers
Known far and wide even outside of the frontier, the Silver Hammers are one of the most influential and feared groups of bandits and outlaws that plague the new world of Kho'as. The Silver Hammers were first formed during the Third Colonial War, and were primarily made up of deserters from old world armies such as the Empire of Rem and the Kingdom of Avers. Both men and women who were disillusioned with the promises of their homelands and militaries flocked to the Silver Hammer banner, eager to use their new freedom to gain both wealth and revenge in equal measures.
No one knows exactly when or how the Silver Hammers formed, nor who they may have once been loyal to, but all agree that Krom, a dwarf of mysterious origins, was there from the beginning. For the last fifty years, he has governed the Silver Hammers with an unbreakable grip on power.
During the Third Colonial War, the Silver Hammers proved to be a major roadblock for old world supply lines. The terrain of the frontier was already difficult to traverse, and with the additional presence of a force effective at guerilla warfare, as well as an intimate knowledge of the army formations and supply routes, it became impossible. Despite expeditionary forces sent by the Empire of Rem, the Kingdom of Avers, and even the Theocracy of Hind, no one could seem to conquer or control the local populaces due to this new force.
The Silver Hammers were initially seen as allies by the people of the frontier, who could relate to them abandoning the old world powers. Many joined their ranks due to feeling betrayed by their own leaders, who had become too much like the kingdoms and empires they were fighting against. This created an ideal environment for them to flourish during the war. However with the combination of genocidal acts of the group known as Speakers of the Wyrm, and the subsequent de-escalation and then end of the war, many assumed that the Hammers would disband entirely and live within the frontier left to their own devices. This was wishful thinking for many on the frontier however.
Once the conflict ended, some of the Silver Hammers decided to move on and start anew as frontier settlers or farmers. However, their leader Krom and many others felt differently. They were dismayed that the old world leaders had been let off too lightly once the Treaty of the Golden River was signed. Far too much blood had been spilt for them to just retreat to their respective countries and prepare for the next battle. As long as anyone from the old world still held sway over Kho'as, there could be no real peace. With this in mind, Krom and all those who either remained loyal to him, or sided with his logic, declared a never-ending war against all those who either pledged allegiance to the old world or sympathized with it. All were seen as enemies by the Silver Hammers, and would be treated without pity.
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